The sun has emerged, and so have our toes. Some people are always prepared for a change of season, sticking to regular pedi appointments. But for those of us whose feet still need a little attention after a long winter, we’ve compiled a guide to the most flattering summer pedicure colors–from bright and bold to neutral and deep.
The trick, says nail content creator and The Gel Bottle ambassador Nicole Marien, is to never skimp on prep. “Neat cuticle work, smooth shaping, and a clean nail plate make all the difference,” she explains to British Vogue. “That’s what gives that flawless, long-lasting look.”
But what does that prep look like if you’re not at the salon? Manicurist Lois Elias–better known to her Instagram followers as @polishedbylolo–says to concentrate on buffing and smoothing any calluses on the feet in the first instance, to keep the skin supple and soft.
“Then, when it comes to polish, try and keep it as close to the cuticle as possible,” she recommends. “This helps to maintain a fresh, well-groomed look for up to three weeks.” In her opinion, a short, square-shaped nail is best.
So that’s the nail shape sorted. Now for color. According to Elias, two colors in particular should be avoided on the toes: “Grey can look dull and emphasize uneven skin tone, while yellow can sometimes make skin look sallow or discolored.”
For Marien, the main concern is maintaining the fresh look of milky white colors over time. She says picking a colour with the right undertone is the key to making the overall look stay clean and flattering. More on how to maintain a crisp cream or milk manicure later. For now, here are the flattering pedicure colors to bookmark this summer.
Blush
Pink will never go out of style, given how well-suited it is to all skin tones. In 2026, the colour is made modern with sheer layers, an ultra glossy finish and a shade that blends the best of both a neutral and a pink. If you want your toes to look “done” without drawing too much attention, this is the way to go. Bonus: a blush pedicure complements all outfits.
Tomato
The trick to finding the right red for you is to consider the undertone of your skin. A cool, blue-toned red will suit cool-toned skin more, while orange-based reds pop on those with warmer undertones. People with neutral undertones can swing between both, thanks to the equal amount of pink and yellow in their skin.
An easy way to guess-timate your undertone is to think about whether gold or silver jewellery looks better on you. Gold usually indicates a warm undertone, while silver suits cool undertones. If in doubt, Elias says to pick a classic pillar-box red, as it suits all skin tones and is “universally flattering”.
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Espresso
Dark colors needn’t be reserved for the winter months: a rich pedicure with a generous layer of glossy top coat is just as chic in July as it is in January. A color that works with everything is a deep, indulgent brown, worn on a short, square toenail. If you’re afraid of obvious regrowth, make sure to pay extra attention to prep–this is what makes all the difference between a pedicure that lasts two weeks or three.
Cream
The best whites are smooth and creamy, like a dollop of actual cream popped on top of a scone. Keywords to keep in mind for the perfect white are milky, creamy, and cloud-like. Avoid anything matte or flat–it’ll read as blocky on the nail and look like you’ve gone rogue with a bottle of Tipp-Ex.
One thing to note with a cream or milk-toned pedicure is that it can weather more quickly than darker, more forgiving colors. Proper prep and an adequate top coat will help to seal the crispness of the color, as will taking a nail brush and giving your toes a quick scrub in the shower each day. (This is also a celebrity manicurist trick to remove dead pieces of skin between nail appointments.)
Merlot
Another season bucker, a dark red pedicure is always in style. Look for reds that mimic the jammy, robustness of an expensive glass of red wine. For Marien, a rich red is “timeless, low-maintenance and flattering on all skin tones.” Her advice is to plump for gel polish if you’re heading off on holiday: “It’s more durable, holds its shine and resists chipping.” In other words: ideal for keeping your toes looking fresh for as long as possible.
